Apparatus for irradiation of liquids



Dec. 27, 1955 R. B. GOCHENOUR ET AL 2,728,859

APPARATUS FOR IRRADIATION OF LIQUIDS Original Filed Sept. 30, 1947 PPIda 00 w s 93% Wu a V0 m m 1m 5 5 M a m 3 United States Patent APPARATUSFOR IRRADIATION OF LIQUHDS Raymond B. Gochenour and Alice M. Gochenour,Zionsville, Ind, assignors to Allied Laboratories, Inc., Kansas City, Moa corporation of Delaware Uriginai application September 30, 1 947,Serial No. 776,946. Divided and this application January 31, 1952,Serial No. 269,312

6 Claims. Cl. 250-49 This invention relates to apparatus for treatingliquids with radiant energy, more particularly to apparatus forproducing a thin continuously flowing film of a liquid and subjectingsaid film of liquid to the action of radiant energy. This application isa division of a prior application, Serial No. 776,946 filed September30, 1947, now U. S. Patent No. 2,588,716, entitled Process and Apparatusfor the Irradiation of Liquids.

The methods and apparatus disclosed and broadly claimed in the saidprior application involve the use of a rapidly rotating cylinderpositioned with respect to the vertical to provide for gravity inducedliquid flow down- Wardly from the upper internal surface, whereby thecombined effects of gravity and centrifugal force produce a continuouslyflowing thin film of liquid over a large area which is subjected toultraviolet radiation. The present invention is directed to the liquidfeeding and collecting means disclosed but not specifically claimed insaid prior application.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for flowingthe liquid to be irradiated onto the upper internal surface of theaforesaid rotating cylinder at a controlled rate without splashing, andmeans for accomplishing sterile collection of the irradiated liquid atthe lower end of the cylinder.

It is another object of the invention to provide a simple and adjustablemeans for flowing a liquid onto a rotating cylindrical internal surface.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means forcollecting the irradiated liquid after it has passed through theirradiating device and maintaining the liquid in sterile condition.

Still another object is the provision of devices which are easilydismantled for cleaning and are easily reassembled.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should nowbe had to the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is the central vertical sectional view of an apparatus embodyingthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. l;and

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken along the line 3-3, the ultraviolet lampbeing omitted in both Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring now to the drawing, the invention is shown as embodied in aliquid irradiating apparatus comprising a cylinder 1 whichis preferablya stainless steel open ended tube about 30 inches long and about 2inches in diameter, which cylinder is suspended by ball bearings 2mounted on a supporting frame 3. As shown, the cylinder 1 has mountedthereon a grooved pulley 4 for cooperation with a V-belt whereby thecylinder can be driven by a constant speed motor (not shown) or othersuitable driving means. Positioned within the cylinder 1 and extendingsubstantially axially thereof, is a 30 W. germicidal ultraviolet(commercially available) lamp 5, the spacing of the lamp relative to thecylinder 1 being such that the ultraviolet radiations from thelamp areeffectively transmitted to the inside cylinder wall. In order to supportthe lamp 5 in the axial position shown, a lamp socket 7 is providedwhich is mounted in the support 6 and into which one end of the lamp 5may be plugged. An upper lamp socket 9 is supported above the open upperend of the cylinder 1 by a suitable supporting member 8, with the socket9 being directly above the socket 7 on the vertical axis of thecylinder 1. The support member 8 is removably attached to the framesupport 3 in order that the lamp 5 may be readily inserted in the lowersocket 7, and the members and the socket 9 may then be secured in theoperative position shown. The sockets 7 and 9 are connected to asuitable constant voltage source of electric power (not shown).

In accordance with the present invention, sterile liquid collectingmeans are provided at the lower end of the cylinder 1 comprising acup-like liquid receiver 10 having upstanding inner and outer walls 10aand 10b, respectively, which are spaced to define the central opening10:: surrounded by an annular liquid receiving chamber 10d. As shown,the lamp 5 passes through the central opening and the inner wall extendssome distance up and around a ray emitting portion of the lamp. Theouter wall 101) of the receiving cup it} surrounds the lower end of thecylinder 1 and extends upwardly in spaced relation to the outer wall ofthe cylinder. With the cup positioned, as shown in Fig. l of thedrawings, it will be seen that the lower end of the cylinder 1 extendsinto the annular liquid receiving chamber 10d so that liquid dischargedfrom the lower end of the cylinder 1 will be collected in the chamber10d from which it is discharged through a suitable spout 102 which maybe connected by a suitable sterile conduit to a sterile storage vessel.The cup or receiver 10 is supported in the position shown in Fig. 1 ofthe drawing by suitable thumb screws 11, and it will be observed thatmerely by loosening one or more of the thumb screws, the cup 10 may bereadily removed for cleaning and may be readily replaced in the desiredposition. In order further to render the cup 10 sterile and preventcontamination of the irradiated liquid by dust or the like, a shield 12is provided which is in the form of a cylindrical member attached to thelower side of the pulley 4 and which extends over and around the outerwall 10b of the cup 10. It will be remembered that the inner wall 10a ofthe cup 10 is spaced from the lamp 5 and it will be observed that anyair passing into the cylinder through this space will be subjected tothe sterilizing rays emitted by the lamp 5 before the air enters thecylinder 1.

In order to introduce the liquid to be sterilized into the cylinder 1adjacent the upper end of the cylinder at a controlled constant rate andwithout splashing of theliquid, suitable feed means are providedincluding means for supplying the liquid under a controlled constantpres sure. As shown, a liquid container 13 having an air pressure inlet14 is provided with a liquid outlet tube 15 which is connected to oneend of a hollow tubular feedon member 16. This feed-on member 16 whichis preferably shaped as shown in Fig. 3, has its outlet and terminal end16:: positioned near the internal wall of the cylinder 1, adjacent theupper end of the cylinder, and this outlet end of the feed-on member 16faces in the direction of rotation of the cylinder ll so as to flow theliquid onto the cylinder wall without splashing. Hypodermic needles havebeen found satisfactory for use as feed-on members since the rate ofliquid flow can be altered, assuming a constant pressure on thecontainer 13, merely by using needles of different gauge. The feed-onmember 16 is supported, as shown, in a suitable support member 17 whichis arranged to permit adjustment of the element 16 relative to theinternal wall of the cylinder 1.

In employing the apparatus disclosed in the drawing for carrying outimproved methods disclosed and claimed in the above referred to priorapplication, the liquid to be irradiated is placed in the container 13,the air inlet tube 14 is attached to a constant air pressure source, andthe liquid is thus forced at a constant rate through the feed-on member16 and is caused to flow onto the internal upper wall of the cylinder 1without splashing. The cylinder 1 is rotated at a speed which must besufliciently high to centrifugally produce a thin film of liquid on theinner wall of the cylinder which flows downwardly along the cylinderwall and is subjected to the radiations of the lamp during its passagethrough the cylinder. It will be understood that the ultraviolet lamphaving been previously positioned, as shown in the drawing, and havingbeen connected with a suitable constant voltage source of electricpower, the inner wall of the cylinder will have been sterilized by theradiations from the lamp prior to the introduction of the liquid.

The previously sterilized liquid receiver it is positioned, asillustrated in the drawing, and the irradiated liquid is collected inthe cup as it flows from the lower end of the rotating cylinder 1, andthe irradiated liquid is maintained in sterile condition in the cup 19from which it flows through the spout 10c into a suitable receptacle.The upper open end of the cylinder 1 may, if desired, be protected fromthe atmosphere by a Formalin soaped piece of gauze or other suitablemeans.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, both the sterilecollecting means and the feed means employed in conjunction with therotating cylinder 1, are of simple construction and may be readilyadjusted and removed for cleaning and replacement. Moreover, the feedmeans provides a constant fiow of liquid onto the inner internal surfaceof the cylinder without splashing while permitting ready adjustment ofthe position of the feed-on member and ready adjustment of the rate offlow. Likewise, the collecting means functions to maintain theirradiated liquid in a sterile condition until it is discharged into asuitable sterile receptacle.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited theretosince many modifications may be made and it is therefore contemplated bythe appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for irradiating liquids with active rays including arotatable hollow cylinder disposed with respect to the vertical toprovide for gravity induced liquid flow from the upper internal surfacethereof to the lower internal surface thereof, the combination of acup-like receiver having inner and outer walls defining a centralopening surrounded by an annular liquid receiving chamber, means forsupporting said receiver with said outer wall surrounding the lower endof said cylinder in spaced relation thereto, an active ray emitting tubewithin said cylinder having the lower end thereof extending through saidcentral opening, and means for introducing a liquid to be irradiatedonto the inner surface of said cylinder adjacent the upper end thereof.

2. In an apparatus for irradiating liquids with active rays including arotatable hollow cylinder disposed with respect to the vertical toprovide for gravity induced liquid flow from the upper internal surfacethereof to the lower internal surface thereof, the combination of acup-like receiver having inner and outer walls of substan tial heightdefining a central opening surrounded by an annular liquid receivingchamber, means for removably supporting said receiver with said outerwall surrounding the lower end of said cylinder in spaced relationthereto and with said inner wall extending into said cylinder, an activeray emitting tube within said cylinder having a ray emitting portionthereof extending through said central opening, whereby irradiatedliquid may be col lected in said liquid receiving chamber withoutexposure to contaminated air, and means for introducing a liquid to beirradiated onto the inner surface of said cylinder adjacent the upperend thereof.

3. In an apparatus for irradiating liquids with active rays including arotatable hollow cylinder disposed with respect to the vertical toprovide for gravity induced liquid flow from the upper internal surfacethereof to the lower internal surface thereof, the combination of acup-like receiver having inner and outer walls defining a centralopening surrounded by an annular liquid receiving chamber, spout meansextending from said annular chamber for discharging irradiated liquidtherefrom, means for removably supporting said receiver with said outerwall surrounding the lower end of said cylinder in spaced relationthereto and with said inner wall extending into said cylinder, an activeray emitting tube within said cylinder having a ray emitting portionthereof extending through said central opening in spaced relation tosaid inner wall whereby air passing through said central opening issubjected to active rays before entering said cylinder, and means forintroducing a liquid to be irradiated onto the inner surface of saidcylinder adjacent the upper end thereof.

4. In an apparatus for irradiating liquids with active rays including arotatable hollow cylinder disposed with respect to the vertical toprovide for gravity induced liquid flow from the upper internal surfacethereof to the lower internal surface thereof, the combination of acup-like receiver having inner and outer walls defining a centralopening surrounded by an annular liquid receiving chamber, means forsupporting said receiver with said outer wall surrounding the lower endof said cylinder in spaced relation thereto, shield means including amember carried by said cylinder and extending over the upper end of thespace between said cylinder and said outer wall, an active ray emittingtube within said cylinder having the lower end thereof extending throughsaid central opening, and means for introducing a liquid to beirradiated onto the inner surface of said cylinder adjacent the upperend thereof.

5. In an apparatus for irradiating liquids with active rays including arotatable hollow cylinder disposed with respect to the vertical toprovide for gravity induced liquid fiow from the upper internal surfacethereof to the lower internal surface thereof, the combination of acup-like receiver having inner and outer walls of substantial heightdefining a central opening surrounded by an annular liquid receivingchamber, means for removably supporting said receiver with said outerwall surrounding the lower end of said cylinder in spaced relationthereto and with said inner wall extending into said cylinder, shieldmeans including a member carried by said cylinder and extending over theupper end of the space between said cylinder and said outer wall, anactive ray emitting tube within said cylinder having a ray emittingportion thereof extending through said central opening, and means forintroducing a liquid to be irradiated onto the inner surface of saidcylinder adjacent the upper end thereof.

6. In an apparatus for irradiating liquids with active rays including arotatable hollow cylinder disposed with respect to the vertical toprovide for gravity induced liquid flow from the upper inter nal surfacethereof to the lower internal surface thereof, the combination of acup-like receiver having inner and outer walls defining a centralopening surrounded by an annular liquid receiving chamber, spout meansextending from said annular chamber for discharging irradiated liquidtherefrom, means for removably supporting said receiver with said outerwall surrounding the lower end .of said cylinder in spaced relationthereto and with said inner wall extending into said cylinder, shieldmeans including a member carried by said cylinder and extending over theupper end of the space between said cylinder and said outer wall, anactive ray emitting tube within said cylinder having a ray emittingportion thereof extending through said central opening in spacedrelation to said inner wall whereby air passing through said centralopening is subjected to active rays before entering said cylinder, andmeans for introducing a liquid to be irradiated onto the inner surfaceof said cylinder adjacent the upper end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Henriet a1. Nov. 24, 1914 Goodall Apr. 27, 1926 Campsie Nov. 13, 1934 Berndtet a1. Mar. 2, 1937 Johnston June 7, 1938 OBrien Feb. 21, 1939

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR IRRADIATING LIQUIDS WITH ACTIVE RAYS INCLUDING AROTATABLE HOLLOW CYLINDER DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO THE VERTICAL TOPROVIDE FOR GRAVITY INDUCED LIQUID FLOW FROM THE UPPER INTERNAL SURFACETHEREOF TO THE LOWER INTERNAL SURFACE THEREOF, THE COMBINATION OF ACUP-LIKE RECEIVER HAVING INNER AND OUTER WALLS DEFINING A CENTRALOPENING SURROUNDED BY AN ANNULAR LIQUID RECEIVING CHAMBER, MEANS FORSUPPORTING SAID RECEIVER WITH SAID OUTER WALL SURROUNDING THE LOWER ENDOF SAID CYLINDER IN SPACED RELATION THERETO, AN ACTIVE RAY EMITTING TUBEWITHIN SAID